AUSTRALIAN NAVY PROPOSAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 29, 27 February 1909, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NAVY PROPOSAL

BRITISH GOVERNMENT AWAITING PARTICULARS. Received 20, 10.25 p.m. , London, February 28. . In the House of Commons ,Mr. R. JJc- ' Kenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, informed Mr. Redmond that the> foundation* of the* agreement with we Commouwealth concerning the pr°P<» ed A" B ' triilian fleet, were laid at the timo the hue Commonwealth Government wufl in ofliee, but no oflicial communication had been received since, and the Imperial (iovevmucnt was waiting to hear trie Commonwealth's view. INTERESTING"mScUsSIOS IN THE LORDS. Received 27, 0.&5 a.m. London, February 20. Lord Brasaev called attention to the ■ Colonial Conference of 1907 in relation ' to Naval Defence, and the defence cor- ' rcspondence since, and suggested the 1 loan or gift to Australasia of protected • second-class cruisers, i Lord Ellenborough said he was glad i Australia had begun on right lines, pro- - viding destroyers in readiness on the r spot for emergency. Could Major r i Dumaurier visit Australia and write a f play similar to 'The Englishman's Home o in colonial surroundings, the chance of - Mr. Haldane'a inducing Australia to » raise five divisions would be considere ably, increased. , ;1 Lord Granard, in a sympathetic reply, v emphasised New Zealand's most patri- ' otic action in increasing her eontnbution ana relying on tje to. do her best to protect her Regarding Lord Brassey'* suggestion, the Admiralty found that there were no vessels suitable. Such as were seen in the solent would require much expenditure for repairs. The Amiralty viewed with satisfaction any efforts tha colon,al. might ■v make towards establishing a fleet w i- their own for their protec ion, and e Si most carefully consider any r» Xme submitted. They would be pleas- .- Ed to give any advice serviceable to tin s, colonies.